Artists

Oakland’s LYCUS
is often labeled as funeral doom, but the band’s vision goes far beyond the barriers of just one genre. Although LYCUS is a slow, measured doom band at heart, their sound stems from of a wide array of influences including black and death metal, noise, darkwave, and shoegaze. Their musical flexibility works its way into the band’s conceptual approach, too – LYCUS’s particular take on mortality and inevitability is conducted on such a great scale that they might as well craft dirges for the interment of the entire universe.

Full Bio

Originally formed in the fall of 2008, LYCUS began as one of the very few doom metal bands in the Sacramento area. They played a handful of local shows and released a DIY demo over the course of about one year, but constant line-up changes along with other unexpected obstacles eventually caused the band to dissolve. After relocating to the San Francisco Bay, founding members Trevor DeSchryver and Jackson Heath reformed the band and recorded Demo MMXI at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, CA. Demo MMXI was released on cassette by Graceless Recordings, then on vinyl through The Flenser in January 2012. By that point, LYCUS had regained momentum and began performing throughout the Bay Area.

More recently, LYCUS has experienced tremendous growth and recognition that belie the band’s youth and early obscurity. They released their debut full-length, Tempest, in July 2013 via 20 Buck Spin to extensive critical acclaim. Steel For Brains declared, “In a year already brimming with absolutely groundbreaking work from the heavy music realm, Tempest places itself easily among the elite with its unbridled gloom and refusal to dig a grave of sound the same old way.” In its 7.9 review of the record, Pitchfork said, “LYCUS’s early stages of grief have matured into dignified resignation and graceful acceptance.” The album ended up at #18 on Decibel’s Top 40 Albums of 2013. That reception was enough to catch the attention of Relapse Records, who signed the Oakland undertakers in January 2015.

After spending the spring of 2015 in the studio, LYCUS released Chasms in January 2016, the highly anticipated follow-up to Tempest. The album is an intensely powerful and emotive masterpiece of funereal doom metal. Recorded at Atomic Garden Studios with producer Jack Shirley and featuring a surreal cover painting by Paolo Girardi, Chasms contains four immense tracks of deep, unbridled gloom. Complete with diverse vocal arrangements, atmospheric cello accompaniments, and enormous compositions, the record is a mournfully expressive work of timeless doom.

LYCUS Announce West Coast Tour Dates, Share ‘Chasms’ Record Release Show Live Video
Bay Area up-and-coming doom troupe LYCUS has just announced a new run of West Coast dates in support of the band’s sophomore LP and Relapse debut Chasms. Olympia Funeral doom quintet Ēōs will support on select dates – check out a full itinerary below.
Additionally, LYCUS have shared a video of their full live set from the Chasms record release show, which was ...

LYCUS: Stream Their New Funeral Doom Masterpiece, ‘Chasms,’ in Full via Stereogum
On January 15, 2015, Oakland, CA quartet LYCUS will finally release Chasms, an intensely powerful and emotive masterpiece of funereal doom metal that marks the band’s first full-length recording since 2013’s highly hailed Tempest, as well as their Relapse Records debut.
Acolytes may now stream Chasms in its entirety thanks to major media portal Stereogum, who had this to say about the album:
“Lycus are ...

LYCUS Premieres New Song “Obsidian Eyes” via Cvlt Nation
Oakland, CA quartet LYCUS is poised to release Chasms, an intensely powerful and emotive masterpiece of funereal doom metal that marks the band’s first full-length recording since 2013’s highly hailed Tempest, and has just premiered a new song, “Obsidian Eyes,” with underground tastemakers Cvlt Nation.
Calling Chasms a “an utterly beautiful record that takes their mournful sound to new depths” and describing the song ...

LYCUS Announces Imminent Release of New Album ‘Chasms’ Streaming New Song “Solar Chamber”
Chasms by Lycus
“Lycus succeed on virtually every level” – Invisible Oranges
“As with any artist worth their salt, the band doesn’t ape or mirror the sound of their obvious influences as much as they give proper credit by making those familiar sounds their very own.” – Steel For Brains
“Required: headphones, candles, change of underwear.” – Decibel
Oakland, CA quartet LYCUS has returned with Chasms, an ...